3-30-20<\/p>\n
Three events this week seemed connected in a way I think God would have us see. The unifying factors are these: that God has plans for us that occasionally look anything but good at first glance; we seldom can predict these life-adjustments, or even recognize them at first; and, number 3, God wants to use us. Yes, you and me. He gives us assignments for His work.<\/p>\n
* In no particular order. I first will address the Coronavirus pandemic. Of course we have enormous sympathy for the deaths and dislocations \u2013 businesses closed and savings gone \u2013 that are resulting. But last week I listed some of the new priorities and redundant traditions that are good to be cleared away in a single season, instead of over a generation.<\/p>\n
This social (not medical) craziness is bringing out the best in people, and I pray it lasts through and beyond the lockdowns. Acts of charity; innovative ways to care; new initiatives. My daughter Emily, in Ireland, was close to opening a restaurant and making other arrangements for her new food business, just a few weeks ago. She could have been locked into a horrible arrangement, as shops are hard-hit there as in the US. Instead of stewing (ha), she came up the idea of operating a \u201cfood pantry\u201d to deliver food to doctors\u2019 offices and hospitals, for those weary workers on extra shifts and unable to enjoy home-cooked food. The community is responding, in her city and elsewhere. Pallets of packaged foods; restaurant surpluses; volunteers; contributions.<\/p>\n
Her inspiration was Jesus feeding the 5000. It\u2019s not about her; she calls the initiative the National Health Service Pantry. For \u201cFront Line\u201d workers \u2013 what we would call medical first-responders and staffers.<\/p>\n
Good will<\/em> come from this plague. In myriad ways. That\u2019s what Christians should make happen. God does not want people to catch and die from a virus. But in the midst, He has plans for us all while it is here. There\u2019s at least one plan for you \u2013 just find it!<\/p>\n * Then I was reminded that the Feast of the Annunciation was this week. Forty weeks before Jesus\u2019 birth. Mary woke up one day a lowly handmaiden; was visited by an angel; and went to sleep knowing she would give birth to the Savior of the human race. Quite a day!<\/p>\n Which means we cannot, usually, predict or expect or recognize events. We think such things are rare, but plagues and storms and wars often surprise us; and things are \u201cnever the same\u201d\u2026 yet life goes on, doesn\u2019t it? And for the good things too \u2013 blessings, gifts, visits from angels. Like Mary, as recorded in her prayer called the Magnificat, our souls magnify the Lord. We are humbled. We need to understand His lovingkindness. Those are acts to undertake. Just find one!<\/p>\n * Finally, did you notice in the news this week that Roger Stone, the perennial political dirty-trickster who was swept up in the \u201cRussian Collusion\u201d hoax, and sentenced to prison, attended a Franklin Graham crusade and gave his heart to Jesus? A little like Chuck Colson, the Nixon operative who was born again and founded the Prison Fellowship ministry.<\/p>\n Is it a legitimate conversion? I have a view of the matter. Many years ago I worked with two partners of his, just before the three founded a Washington lobbying group. More to share in a future column, but this born-again story \u2013 and a viral 25-minute video interview on CBN \u2013 caught my attention. And it ties in to my third \u201ccoincidental\u201d inspiration for this week. Just think —<\/p>\n God has plans for us that are not always clear to us at first. His messages and callings usually are things we could never have expected. But\u2026 God wants to use us.<\/p>\n Use us<\/em>. He doesn\u2019t have to. He could use your neighbor. Or a stranger. Or nobody, and wave His hand over situations; He is God. But He issued a challenge to Emily\u2019s faith… He blessed Mary with an unspeakable privilege… He broke Roger\u2019s heart of Stone. He challenges, we respond. That’s how God works.<\/p>\n